Access Clinician

Overview

The Access Clinician role provides assessment, referral linkage, hotline coverage, crisis stabilization, development of alternative treatment plans. Consult and make treatment recommendations regarding children and youth cases. Frequent supervision and monitoring of patients will be required to assess inpatient admission to Short Term Care Facility (STCF) or voluntary unit. Consult with unit nurses and attending psychiatrist prior to disposition of all cases.

Completes all Access Center required paperwork in a timely, efficient, and professional manner. We also must provide excellence in customer service to our patients and referral sources. Assist with marketing behavioral health services as assigned.

• Provides sound clinical intervention.
• Demonstrates knowledge and proper use of DSM-V diagnoses.
• Conducts a thorough psychosocial evaluation.
• Exercises the ability to draw conclusions, interpret results and recommend actions.
• Manage time effectively/sets priorities appropriately.
• Demonstrates effective interviewing skills and ability to establish positive rapport with patients and families.
• Writes legibly. Documents in a clear, concise manner which accurately reflects patients’ condition and treatment goals.
• Reports pertinent observations regarding patients to nurses, psychiatrist, health care team members and family, as appropriate.
• Effectively and efficiently assist with facilitating inpatient admissions.
• Provide warm hand off to outpatient levels of care when appropriate.
• Provides education consistent with the patient/family’s learning abilities and preferences; evaluates outcomes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of making referrals to the appropriate level of care.
• Accurately completes the age-appropriate assessment documents.
• Appropriately assesses patient’s level of dangerousness and initiates intervention accordingly.
• Demonstrates competency in assessing for suicidality / dangerous behavior.
• Practices Universal Standard Precautions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and practices department safety procedures, including safe handling of equipment and hazardous substances.
• Verbalizes hospital-wide quality improvement projects.
• Verbalizes unit specific quality improvement projects.
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives as needed.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Doctoral degree, Master’s Degree preferred or currently enrolled in graduate studies leading to Master’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work plus one year’s psychiatric emergency experience, or Bachelor’s degree and at least three year’s psychiatric experience.

Experience working with consumers in a crisis setting. Knowledge of the NJ Screening Law. NJ licensed preferred.

Minimum of one year of psychiatric crisis or related experience

Must be willing to work holidays, weekends and provide additional coverage as needed